Wireless speaker devices for wireless audio/video recording and communication devices

ABSTRACT

A wireless speaker device configured for use with a wireless A/V recording and communication device, such as a doorbell. The wireless speaker device, which includes a speaker, may connect to the user&#39;s local area network (LAN), such as a Wi-Fi network. The LAN is connected to a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet and/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). When the wireless A/V recording and communication device detects a visitor, it sends a signal, via the LAN, to at least one device in the WAN, such as a server and/or a service. In response, the at least one device in the WAN sends a signal, via the LAN, to the wireless speaker device. The signal to the wireless speaker device includes a command for the wireless speaker device to emit a tone through its speaker. The wireless speaker device then emits a tone through its speaker to alert the user that a visitor is at the wireless A/V recording and communication device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/905,653, filed on Jan. 15, 2016, which is a national stage entry ofInternational Application Serial No. PCT/US2014/046952, filed on Jul.17, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/847,274, filed on Jul. 17, 2013. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of application U.S. application Ser. No.14/334,922, filed on Jul. 18, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/847,816, filed on Jul. 18, 2013. Theentire contents of the priority applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to wireless audio/video (A/V) recordingand communication devices, including wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell systems.

BACKGROUND

Home safety is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Those seekingto protect or monitor their homes often wish to have video and audiocommunications with visitors, for example, those visiting an externaldoor or entryway. Audio/Video (A/V) recording and communication devices,such as doorbells, provide this functionality, and can also aid in crimedetection and prevention. For example, audio and/or video captured by anA/V recording and communication device can be uploaded to the cloud andrecorded on a remote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footage canaid law enforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries andother crimes. Further, the presence of one or more A/V recording andcommunication devices on the exterior of a home, such as a doorbell unitat the entrance to the home, acts as a powerful deterrent againstwould-be burglars.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present wireless speaker devices forwireless audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, haveseveral features, no single one of which is solely responsible for theirdesirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the presentembodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, their more prominentfeatures now will be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thepresent embodiments provide the advantages described herein.

In a first aspect, a method for communicating among a wirelessaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, a wireless speakerdevice including a speaker, a local area network (LAN) including one ormore LAN devices, and a wide area network (WAN) including one or moreWAN devices is provided, the method comprising the one or more WANdevices receiving from the wireless A/V recording and communicationdevice, via the one or more LAN devices, a visitor detection signal, thevisitor detection signal indicating that a visitor has been detected atthe wireless A/V recording and communication device, and the one or moreWAN devices transmitting to the wireless speaker device, via the one ormore LAN devices, in response to receiving the visitor detection signal,a tone signal, the tone signal including a command to the wirelessspeaker device to emit a tone from the speaker of the wireless speakerdevice.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device comprises a wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell including a button.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the visitor detection signalcomprises a button press signal indicating that the doorbell button hasbeen pressed.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the wireless A/V recordingand communication device further comprises a motion detector.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the visitor detection signalis received in response to the motion detector detecting motion at thewireless A/V recording and communication device.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises the one or moreWAN devices receiving from the wireless A/V recording and communicationdevice a first alert signal and a first video signal, the first videosignal including images captured by a camera of the wireless A/Vrecording and communication device.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises the one or moreWAN devices transmitting to a client device, in response to receivingthe first alert signal and the first video signal, a second alert signaland a second video signal, the second video signal including the imagescaptured by the camera of the wireless A/V recording and communicationdevice.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the client device is asmartphone.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more WAN devicescomprises one or more servers.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more WAN devicescomprises one or more network services.

In a second aspect, a wireless speaker device configured for use with awireless audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, a localarea network (LAN) including one or more LAN devices, and a wide areanetwork (WAN) including one or more WAN devices is provided, thewireless speaker device comprising a wireless communication module, anda speaker, wherein the wireless speaker device is configured to receivefrom the one or more WAN devices, via the one or more LAN devices andvia the wireless communication module of the wireless speaker device, atone signal, the tone signal including a command to the wireless speakerdevice to emit a tone from the speaker of the wireless speaker device,and wherein the wireless speaker device is configured to emit the tonefrom the speaker of the wireless speaker device in response to receivingthe tone signal including the command.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the wireless speaker device isfurther configured to receive from the one or more WAN devices, via theone or more LAN devices and via the wireless communication module of thewireless speaker device, the tone signal in response to the one or moreWAN devices receiving from the wireless A/V recording and communicationdevice, via the one or more LAN devices, a visitor detection signal, thevisitor detection signal indicating that a visitor has been detected atthe wireless A/V recording and communication device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the wireless A/V recordingand communication device comprises a wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell including a button, and wherein the visitordetection signal comprises a button press signal indicating that thedoorbell button has been pressed.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the wireless A/V recordingand communication device further comprises a motion detector, andwherein the visitor detection signal is received in response to themotion detector detecting motion at the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more WAN devicescomprises one or more servers.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more WAN devicescomprises one or more network services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present wireless speaker devices forwireless audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, now willbe discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageousfeatures. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious wirelessspeaker devices for wireless A/V recording and communication devices,shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposesonly. These drawings include the following figures, in which likenumerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including anembodiment of a USB doorbell dongle according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a USB doorbelldongle according to an aspect of present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a USB doorbelldongle according to an aspect of present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the USB doorbell dongle of FIG. 3and a computer according to an aspect of present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the USB doorbell dongle of FIG. 3and a USB adapter according to an aspect of present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including anembodiment of a USB doorbell dongle according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram relating to an embodiment of a USBdoorbell dongle according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including awireless speaker device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram relating to an embodiment of a wirelessspeaker device according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system for streamingand storing A/V content captured by a wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a wireless A/V recording and communicationdoorbell according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the wireless A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell of FIG. 10 attached to a mounting bracketaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is cross-sectional right side view of the wireless A/V recordingand communication doorbell of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell and the mounting bracket of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are top and bottom views, respectively, of thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell and the mountingbracket of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are top and front views, respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder of the wireless A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and front views, respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder assembly of the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell of FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of FIG.16A and a field of view thereof according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 a functional block diagram of the components of the wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell of FIG. 10;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process for a wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another process for a wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another process for a wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram illustrating a wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell system including a wireless speakerdevice for wireless A/V recording and communication devices according tothe present embodiments;

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a wireless speaker device forwireless A/V recording and communication devices according to thepresent embodiments;

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the wireless speaker device ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of the wireless speaker device ofFIGS. 23 and 24;

FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system forcommunicating among a wireless A/V recording and communication device, alocal area network, a wide area network, and a wireless speaker device,according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of a processfor generating a visitor-announce tone in a system including a wirelessA/V recording and communication device, a local area network, a widearea network, and a wireless speaker device;

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

The embodiments of the present wireless speaker devices for wireless A/Vrecording and communication devices, including wireless audio/videorecording and communication doorbells, are described below withreference to the figures. These figures, and their written descriptions,indicate that certain components of the apparatus are formed integrally,and certain other components are formed as separate pieces. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that components shown anddescribed herein as being formed integrally may in alternativeembodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinary skill in theart will further appreciate that components shown and described hereinas being formed as separate pieces may in alternative embodiments beformed integrally. Further, as used herein the term integral describes asingle unitary piece.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including anembodiment of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) doorbell dongle 13 accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure. The USB doorbell dongle 13 maybe an electronic hardware device designed to fit into a USB port. Asshown in FIG. 1, the USB doorbell dongle 13 contains a microcontroller4, flash memory 6, a speaker 1, LED lights 7, and a communicationsmodule 8. Each component inside the USB doorbell dongle 13 performs anindividual function which then contributes to an efficient working ofthe whole system. The USB doorbell dongle 13 may communicate directly orindirectly with a doorbell 12. The doorbell 12 may be a doorbell capableof wireless data transmission. The doorbell 12 may be equipped with amicrophone, a speaker, a camera, and/or a button. The doorbell 12 mayact as an intercom system, which in turn relays digital audio and/orvideo to the USB doorbell dongle 13 and/or a smart device 18, allowing auser and a visitor to communicate remotely with each other.

The smart device 18 may be any electronic device capable of receivingand transmitting data via the Internet, capable of transmitting andreceiving audio and video communications, and that can operate to someextent autonomously. Examples of the smart device 18 include, but arenot limited to, smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, and VOIPtelephone systems. In one non-limiting aspect, the smart device 18 maybe an initial point of contact between a visitor (not shown) at thedoorbell 12 and a user (not shown), prior to the doorbell 12 connectingto the USB doorbell dongle 13. In this aspect, in the event that theuser cannot connect to the doorbell 12 via the smart device 18, datarouted by a server 17 may be directed to the USB doorbell dongle 13.

In one aspect, the USB doorbell dongle 13, the smart device 18, and thedoorbell 12 communicate via Wi-Fi. In this aspect, the communicationsmodule 8 may be an off-the-shelf component, such as the GS2011M moduleby Gainspan, or it could be another module that adds low power, highspeed Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity to a device with a microcontrollerand serial host interface. With further reference to FIG. 1, thecommunications module 8 may send outbound data calls to the server 17via a network 16, containing data such as sound and identifyinginformation related to the USB doorbell dongle 13. The network 16 may bea telecommunications network that allows computers to exchange dataeither physically or virtually. The server 17 determines which USBdoorbell dongle 13 is associated with the doorbell 12 using theidentifying information sent and routes the transmitted signal throughthe server 17 to the USB doorbell dongle 13. The server 17 is may be asystem that responds to requests across a computer network to provide,or help to provide, a network service, such as routing. The doorbell 12may connect to the network 16 via the communications module 8 tocommunicate with the USB doorbell dongle 13.

Other data transmission protocols, such as Bluetooth or Zigbee may beincorporated into the communications module 8 to transmit data to mobiledevices or any other device capable of receiving wireless datatransmissions. In this aspect, data may be transmitted to themicrocontroller 4 directly through Bluetooth protocol via thecommunications module 8, depending on the USB doorbell dongle 13'sproximity to the doorbell 12.

Once a wireless connection has been made, the microcontroller 4 mayprocess data delivered from the doorbell 12 to the USB doorbell dongle13. The microcontroller 4 may be a self-contained processing systemembedded in the USB doorbell dongle 13 that handles and distributescommands coming in and out of the device and routes them to theappropriate components. If the doorbell 12 button is pressed by avisitor, the microcontroller 4 may transmit a notifying signal to a uservia the USB doorbell dongle 13, such as activating the LED lights 7and/or emitting an audio ringtone through the speaker 1. The USBdoorbell dongle 13 may be equipped with one or more input buttons 3.When pressed by the user, the input button 3 may activate a microphone 9to allow the user to communicate with the visitor through audiotransmission.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a USB connector 5 may transmit dataand/or electrical current from a computer 10 (FIG. 4A) and/or a USB walladapter 11 (FIG. 4B). Electrical current is transmitted to a powerregulator 2, which in turn distributes power to all components withinthe USB doorbell dongle 13. Any data transmitted via the USB connector 5from the computer 10 may be stored in the flash memory 6. In one aspectof the present disclosure, a user may store audio ringtones at the flashmemory 6, which may be emitted when the doorbell 12 button is pressed.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the USB doorbell dongle 13according to an aspect of present disclosure. The USB doorbell dongle 13may contain the flash memory 6 in conjunction with the speaker 1, thepower regulator 2, the input button 3, the microcontroller 4, the USBconnector 5, the LED lights 7, the communications module 8, and themicrophone 9. The flash memory 6 embedded inside the USB doorbell dongle13 may be used to store or transfer the user's data from one device toanother device such as the computer 10. The flash memory 6 may also beused to store potential ringtones that the user might select as an audionotification for the doorbell 12. The communications module 8 mayinclude Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi capability, and may connect to thedoorbell 12 depending on the wireless connection available at any giventime. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the USB doorbell dongle13 may have the ability to extend an available Wi-Fi signal to nearbydevice(s) available within the network 16. In this aspect, the USBdoorbell dongle 13 may contain components, (e.g. found in a Wi-Firouter) capable of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from thenetwork 16, amplifying the wireless signal, and then transmitting theboosted signal throughout the user's location or facility. The USBdoorbell dongle 13 may include a battery (not shown) to allow operationwhen electrical power is not available to the device.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the USB doorbell dongle 13according to an aspect of present disclosure. The top face of the USBdoorbell dongle 13 may feature a perforated pattern that allows foraudio to be emitted from the speaker 1. An aperture to allow the LEDlights 7 to emit light may be located on a front facing surface of theUSB doorbell dongle 13. The LED lights 7 mounted within the USB doorbelldongle 13 may turn on and off or blink continuously depending on thesignal transmitted from the doorbell 12. The LED lights 7 may also beilluminated if the USB doorbell dongle 13 is plugged into the computer10 or the USB wall adapter 11. In this aspect, the illumination of theLED lights 7 may indicate charging or data transfer and may turn offonce the user unplugs the USB doorbell dongle 13 from the computer 10 orthe USB wall adapter 11.

The input button 3 may be positioned on a front facing surface of theUSB doorbell dongle 13. Once the USB doorbell dongle 13 receives asignal from the doorbell 12, the microcontroller 4 may be triggered toinform the user by emitting audio from the speaker 1 and/or illuminatingthe LED lights 7. The user may press the input button 3 to activate themicrophone 9 in order to transmit digital audio from the USB doorbelldongle 13 to the doorbell 12.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the USB doorbell dongle 13 andthe computer 10 according to an aspect of present disclosure. The USBdoorbell dongle 13 may extract power from the computer 10 as the USBdoorbell dongle 13 may be plugged into a USB port of the computer 10. Asthe USB doorbell dongle 13 may be inserted in the computer 10, the usermay also extract data from the computer 10 and store data on the flashmemory 6 embedded in the USB doorbell dongle 13, and/or the user may beable to transfer data back and forth between the computer 10 and the USBdoorbell dongle 13.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the USB doorbell dongle 13 andthe USB wall adapter 11 according to an aspect of present disclosure.The USB doorbell dongle 13 may be plugged into a USB port of the USBwall adapter 11 to extract power from the USB wall adapter 11, which maybe plugged in a wall socket. The USB doorbell dongle 13 may be insertedinto any device offering a USB port, and that will also provide power tothe USB doorbell dongle 13.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including theUSB doorbell dongle 13 communicating with the Wi-Fi doorbell 12. In oneaspect of the present disclosure, when a notification command istransmitted from the doorbell 12 to the USB doorbell dongle 13 throughWi-Fi or Bluetooth, the user may have the ability to talk to a visitorthrough the microphone 9 embedded in the USB doorbell dongle 13.

In one aspect, the USB doorbell dongle 13 may communicate with thedoorbell 12 via Wi-Fi. The communications module 8 may send an outbounddata call to the server 17 located within the network 16, containingdata such as sound and identifying information related to the USBdoorbell dongle 13. The server 17 may then determine which USB doorbelldongle 13 is associated with the doorbell 12 using the identifyinginformation delivered from the doorbell 12 and may route the transmittedsignal through the network 16 to the USB doorbell dongle 13. Asmentioned above, the connection may also transmit through Bluetoothprotocol via a Bluetooth module embedded in the communications module 8of the USB doorbell dongle 13 depending on its proximity to the doorbell12.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating example uses and functionsassociated with the USB doorbell dongle 13 according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure. A visitor may push a button located on the doorbell12 at block B30. At block B32, the doorbell 12 transmits data to thenetwork 16 such as video, audio, and identifying information associatedto the doorbell 12. The server 17 identifies what smart devices 18, webbased applications, USB doorbell dongle 13's, and/or other devices maybe associated with doorbell 12. The server 17 may route the appropriatedata, such as audio and/or video data, to the appropriate device basedon the functions of each device. The user may initially receive anotification on the smart device 18 or another device associated withthe doorbell 12. If the request is accepted, (Yes, at block B32), theuser and visitor may communicate via audio and video transmissions sentto and from the doorbell 12 at block B34. The transmission may then beterminated at block B36 once the user disconnects or hangs up.

If a connection cannot be made with the smart device 18, (No, at blockB32), the server 17 routes data to the USB doorbell dongle 13 at blockB38 to emit an audio chime. Reasons such as, but not limited to, a poornetwork connection, the smart device 18 not being connected to anetwork, and/or the smart device 18 being powered off may trigger theUSB doorbell dongle 13 to emit an audio chime to the user.

If the user is in the presence of the USB doorbell dongle 13 and iscapable of answering the request (Yes, at block B40), the user may pressthe input button 3 located on the USB doorbell dongle 13 at block B42.Pressing the input button 3 located on the USB doorbell dongle 13 atblock B42 creates a connection between the doorbell 12 and the USBdoorbell dongle 13 via the network 16. The user and a visitor maycommunicate via audio transmissions sent to and from the doorbell 12 andthe USB doorbell dongle 13 at block B44. The transmission may then beterminated at block B36 when the user disconnects by pressing the inputbutton 3.

If the user is not in the presence of the USB doorbell dongle 13, or theUSB doorbell dongle 13 is either disconnected from the network 16 orpowered off (No, at block B40), the transmission may then be terminatedat block B36. The steps described above with respect to FIG. 6 may takeplace in a different order than as described above. For example, theserver 17 may route data to the USB doorbell dongle 13 prior to routingdata to the smart device 18.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system including awireless speaker device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. Wi-Fi is one method of wireless data exchange according toan aspect of the present disclosure. The devices within the system ofFIG. 7 may connect to a user's network 65. The user's network 65 may bea local area network (LAN), an Internet area network (IAN), or a widearea network (WAN) that connects voice and data end points within awireless network. Once devices within the system are connected to theuser's network 65 (unless equipped with 3G, 4G, LTE, etc), then thedevices may communicate by sending data to a system network 52. Thesystem network 52 is wireless telecommunications network that allows forthe transfer of data to and from Wi-Fi enabled devices. A server 53 maybe embedded in or coupled to the system network 52. The server 53 is asystem that responds to requests across a computer network to provide,or help to provide, a network service, such as the routing of dataaccording to instructions and user preferences. The devices within thesystem send data to the system network 52 where the server 53 processesand routes the data to the appropriate device. For example, data from awireless communication doorbell 61 may be sent to the system network 52,such as identifying information, digital audio, processed visuals,and/or device diagnostics. The server 53 processes the data sent fromthe wireless communication doorbell 61 and routes it accordingly to theother devices within the system. For instance, the server 53 may processdiagnostic data sent from the wireless communication doorbell 61, andthe server 53 routes the diagnostic data to inform a user via the smartdevice 54 if a battery of the wireless communication doorbell 61 isabout to die (e.g. 10% battery remaining).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, all devices that communicatewithin the system described in FIG. 7 may use other wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wirelesstechnology standard for exchanging data over short distances betweendevices within close proximity to one another. Bluetooth wirelesstransmission does not require the use of a system network 52 or a server53 because of the close proximity, while maintaining the capability totransfer data such as identifying information, digital audio, processedvisuals, and/or device diagnostics.

In one method and system of the present disclosure, all hardwarecomponents within the wireless communication doorbell 61 may live in astate of hibernation until a button 55 of the wireless communicationdoorbell 61 is pressed by a visitor. In this aspect, all components thatdraw power from the battery, such as a communications module and/or acamera do not waste battery power when not in use. When the button 55 ispressed, it may activate all components, and when streaming data to thesmart device 54 ceases, all components may return to hibernation mode.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, diagnostic data associated withthe wireless communication doorbell 61, such as battery life andInternet connectivity, may be relayed to the system network 52 when thecommunication module is woken up out of hibernation mode. With thediagnostic data provided by the wireless communication doorbell 61, theserver 53 may send notifications to the smart device 54, informing theuser to charge the battery or reset the Internet connectivity to thewireless communication doorbell 61.

As shown in FIG. 7 and described in further detail below with respect toFIG. 8, the wireless communication doorbell 61 may communicate withthird party hardware 58 and/or a third party doorbell chime 59. Thethird party doorbell chime 59 may be a stand-alone product or componentthat may emit an audio chime or message, amongst other functions, to auser when the button 55 of the wireless communication doorbell 61 ispressed. The wireless communication doorbell 61 may communicate with thethird party doorbell chime 59 directly or indirectly, depending on thetransmission capabilities associated with the third party doorbell chime59. In one aspect, if embedded with a communications module, the thirdparty doorbell chime 59 may communicate with the wireless communicationdoorbell 61 via the system network 52. In this aspect, the third partydoorbell chime 59 may be connected to the user's network 65, along withthe wireless communication doorbell 61. In one aspect of the presentdisclosure, the third party doorbell chime 59 may take the form of a USBdongle 13 (FIG. 1) containing a communications module (e.g. Wi-Fi orBluetooth) 8, a speaker 1, and/or a microphone 9. In this aspect, theUSB dongle 13 may derive power by being plugged into a computer 10 (FIG.4A) or into a USB adapter 11 (FIG. 4B). If connected over Wi-Fi, datasent from the wireless communication doorbell 61, such as digital audioand/or identifying information, may be routed through the system network52 to the USB dongle 13. If connected using Bluetooth protocols, thewireless communication doorbell 61 may deliver data, such as digitalaudio, directly to the USB dongle 13. The USB dongle 13 may alert a userof someone at the door using visual and/or audio cues derived from LEDlights 7 (FIG. 1) and/or speakers 1 installed within the USB dongle 13.The user may then be able to communicate with the visitor through themicrophone 9 installed on the USB dongle 13. In one aspect of thepresent disclosure, the USB dongle 13 may act as a Wi-Fi extender,repeater, or booster to provide more or better access to the user'snetwork 65. In this aspect, the USB dongle 13 may contain components(e.g. found in a Wi-Fi router) capable of receiving wireless signalstransmitted from the user's network 65, amplifying the wireless signals,and then transmitting the boosted signal throughout user's location orfacility.

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram relating to an embodiment of a wirelessspeaker device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In thisaspect, the third party doorbell chime 59 (FIG. 7) may contain acommunication module, an input button, a speaker, and a microphone. Avisitor may push the button 55 located on the front face of the wirelesscommunication doorbell 61 at block B70, triggering the wirelesscommunication doorbell 61 to transmit data wirelessly to the systemnetwork 52.

At block B72, the wireless communication doorbell 61 transmits data tothe system network 52 such as audio, video, and/or identifyinginformation associated to the wireless communication doorbell 61. Theserver 53 identifies what smart devices 54, web based applications,third party doorbell chimes 59, and/or other devices may be associatedwith the wireless communication doorbell 61. The server 53 may route theappropriate data, such as audio or video data, to the applicable devicebased on the functions of each device. The user may receive anaccept/deny prompt on the smart device 54 or another device associatedwith the wireless communication doorbell 61. If the request is accepted(Yes, at block B72), the user and the visitor may communicate via audioand video transmissions sent to and from the wireless communicationdoorbell 61 at block B74. The transmission may then be terminated atblock B76 once the user disconnects or hangs up.

If a connection cannot be made with the smart device 54, (No, at blockB72), the server 53 routes data to the third party doorbell chime 59 atblock B78 to emit an audio chime. Reasons such as, but not limited to, apoor wireless network connection, the smart device 54 not beingconnected to the user's network 65, the smart device 54 being poweredoff, or the accept/deny prompt being dismissed or ignored may triggerthe third party doorbell chime 59 to emit an audio tone to the user.

If the user is in the presence of the third party doorbell chime 59 andis capable of answering the request, (Yes, at block B80), the user maypress the input button located on the third party doorbell chime 59 atblock B82. Pressing the input button located on the third party doorbellchime 59 creates a connection between the wireless communicationdoorbell 61 and the third party doorbell chime 59 via the system network52. The user and the visitor may communicate via audio transmissionssent between the wireless communication doorbell 61 and the third partydoorbell chime 59 at block B82. The transmission may then be terminatedat block B76 when the user disconnects by pressing the input button.

If the user is not in the presence of the third party doorbell chime 59,or the third party doorbell chime 59 is either disconnected from theuser's network 65 or powered off (No, at block B80) the transmission maythen be terminated at block B84. The steps described above with respectto FIG. 8 may take place in a different order than described above. Forexample, the server 53 may route data to the third party doorbell chime59 prior to routing data to the smart device 54.

With reference to FIG. 9, the present embodiments include an audio/video(A/V) recording and communication device, such as a doorbell 100. Whilethe present disclosure provides numerous examples of methods and systemsincluding A/V recording and communication doorbells, the presentembodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording and communicationdevices other than doorbells. For example, the present embodiments mayinclude one or more A/V recording and communication security camerasinstead of, or in addition to, one or more A/V recording andcommunication doorbells. An example A/V recording and communicationsecurity camera may include substantially all of the structure andfunctionality of the doorbells described herein, but without the frontbutton and related components.

The wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 is typicallylocated near the entrance to a structure (not shown), such as adwelling, a business, a storage facility, etc. The wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 includes a camera 102, amicrophone 104, and a speaker 106. The camera 102 may comprise, forexample, a high definition (HD) video camera, such as one capable ofcapturing video images at an image display resolution of 720p or better.While not shown, the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell100 may also include other hardware and/or components, such as ahousing, one or more motion sensors (and/or other types of sensors), abutton, etc. The wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100may further include similar componentry and/or functionality as thewireless communication doorbells described in US Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2015/0022620 (application Ser. No. 14/499,828) and2015/0022618 (application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties as if fully setforth.

With further reference to FIG. 9, the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 communicates with a user's wireless network110, which may be for example a local area network (LAN), such as aWi-Fi network compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or otherwireless communication standard(s). The user's wireless network 110 isconnected to another network 112, which may comprise, for example, theInternet and/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As describedbelow, the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 maycommunicate with the user's client device 114 via the wireless network110 and the network 112. The user's client device 114 may comprise, forexample, a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellulartelephone), such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), oranother communication device. The user's client device 114 comprises adisplay (not shown) and related components capable of displayingstreaming and/or recorded video images. The user's client device 114 mayalso comprise a speaker and related components capable of broadcastingstreaming and/or recorded audio, and may also comprise a microphone. Thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may alsocommunicate with one or more remote storage device(s) 116 (may bereferred to interchangeably as “cloud storage device(s)”) and/or one ormore servers 118 via the wireless network 110 and the network 112. WhileFIG. 9 illustrates the storage device 116 and the server 118 ascomponents separate from the network 112, it is to be understood thatthe storage device 116 and/or the server 118 may be considered to becomponents of the network 112.

The network 112 may be any wireless network or any wired network, or acombination thereof, configured to operatively couple the abovementioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in FIG. 9. For example,the network 112 may include one or more of the following: a PSTN (publicswitched telephone network), the Internet, a local intranet, a PAN(Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide AreaNetwork), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network(VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, anAdvanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous opticalnetwork (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1 or E3 line, a DigitalData Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services DigitalNetwork) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, or V.34bis analogmodem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,communications may also include links to any of a variety of wirelessnetworks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication),CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division MultipleAccess), FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), and/or OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) cellular phone networks,GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion,Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.11-basedradio frequency network. The network can further include or interfacewith any one or more of the following: RS-232 serial connection,IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channel connection, IrDA(infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, USB(Universal Serial Bus) connection, or other wired or wireless, digitalor analog, interface or connection, mesh or Digi® networking. In oneexample embodiment, the network 112 comprises a WAN connected to theuser's wireless network 110, which comprises a LAN.

According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when aperson (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) arrives at thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100, the wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 detects the visitor's presenceand begins capturing video images within a field of view of the camera102. The wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may alsocapture audio through the microphone 104. The wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 may detect the visitor's presence using amotion sensor, and/or by detecting that the visitor has depressed thebutton on the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100.

In response to the detection of the visitor, the wireless A/V recordingand communication doorbell 100 sends an alert to the user's clientdevice 114 (FIG. 9) via the user's wireless network 110 and the network112. The wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 alsosends streaming video, and may also send streaming audio, to the user'sclient device 114. If the user answers the alert, two-way audiocommunication may then occur between the visitor and the user throughthe wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 and the user'sclient device 114. The user may view the visitor throughout the durationof the call, but the visitor cannot see the user (unless the wirelessA/V recording and communication doorbell 100 includes a display, whichit may in some embodiments).

The video images captured by the camera 102 of the wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 (and the audio captured by themicrophone 104) may be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on the remotestorage device 116 (FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the video and/or audiomay be recorded on the remote storage device 116 even if the userchooses to ignore the alert sent to his or her client device 114.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a wireless audio/video (A/V) communicationdoorbell 130 according to an aspect of present embodiments. FIG. 10 is afront view, FIG. 11 is a rear view, and FIG. 12 is a left side view ofthe doorbell 130 coupled with a mounting bracket 137. The doorbell 130includes a faceplate 135 mounted to a back plate 139 (FIG. 11). Withreference to FIG. 12, the faceplate 135 has a substantially flatprofile. The faceplate 135 may comprise any suitable material,including, without limitation, metals, such as brushed aluminum orstainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics. The faceplate 135 protectsthe internal contents of the doorbell 130 and serves as an exteriorfront surface of the doorbell 130.

With reference to FIG. 10, the faceplate 135 includes a button 133 and alight pipe 136. The button 133 and the light pipe 136 may have variousprofiles that may or may not match the profile of the faceplate 135. Thelight pipe 136 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, transparent plastic, that is capable of allowing lightproduced within the doorbell 130 to pass through. The light may beproduced by one or more light-emitting components, such aslight-emitting diodes (LED's), contained within the doorbell 130, asfurther described below. The button 133 may make contact with a buttonactuator (not shown) located within the doorbell 130 when the button 133is pressed by a visitor. When pressed, the button 133 may trigger one ormore functions of the doorbell 130, as further described below.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 12, the doorbell 130 further includes anenclosure 131 that engages the faceplate 135. In the illustratedembodiment, the enclosure 131 abuts an upper edge 135T (FIG. 10) of thefaceplate 135, but in alternative embodiments one or more gaps betweenthe enclosure 131 and the faceplate 135 may facilitate the passage ofsound and/or light through the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 maycomprise any suitable material, but in some embodiments the material ofthe enclosure 131 preferably permits infrared light to pass through frominside the doorbell 130 to the environment and vice versa. The doorbell130 further includes a lens 132. In some embodiments, the lens maycomprise a Fresnel lens, which may be patterned to deflect incominglight into one or more infrared sensors located within the doorbell 130.The doorbell 130 further includes a camera 134, which captures videodata when activated, as described below.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the doorbell 130, according to an aspect ofthe present embodiments. As illustrated, the enclosure 131 may extendfrom the front of the doorbell 130 around to the back thereof and mayfit snugly around a lip of the back plate 139. The back plate 139 maycomprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals,such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics.The back plate 139 protects the internal contents of the doorbell 130and serves as an exterior rear surface of the doorbell 130. Thefaceplate 135 may extend from the front of the doorbell 130 and at leastpartially wrap around the back plate 139, thereby allowing a coupledconnection between the faceplate 135 and the back plate 139. The backplate 139 may have indentations in its structure to facilitate thecoupling.

With further reference to FIG. 11, spring contacts 140 may provide powerto the doorbell 130 when mated with other conductive contacts connectedto a power source. The spring contacts 140 may comprise any suitableconductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may becapable of deflecting when contacted by an inward force, for example theinsertion of a mating element. The doorbell 130 further comprises aconnector 160, such as a micro-USB or other connector, whereby powerand/or data may be supplied to and from the components within thedoorbell 130. A reset button 159 may be located on the back plate 139,and may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located withinthe doorbell 130 when the reset button 159 is pressed. When the resetbutton 159 is pressed, it may trigger one or more functions, asdescribed below.

FIG. 12 is a left side profile view of the doorbell 130 coupled to themounting bracket 137, according to an aspect of the present embodiments.The mounting bracket 137 facilitates mounting the doorbell 130 to asurface, such as the exterior of a building, such as a home or office.As illustrated in FIG. 12, the faceplate 135 may extend from the bottomof the doorbell 130 up to just below the camera 134, and connect to theback plate 139 as described above. The lens 132 may extend and curlpartially around the side of the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 mayextend and curl around the side and top of the doorbell 130, and may becoupled to the back plate 139 as described above. The camera 134 mayprotrude slightly through the enclosure 131, thereby giving it a widerfield of view. The mounting bracket 137 may couple with the back plate139 such that they contact each other at various points in a commonplane of contact, thereby creating an assembly including the doorbell130 and the mounting bracket 137. The couplings described in thisparagraph, and elsewhere, may be secured by, for example and withoutlimitation, screws, interference fittings, adhesives, or otherfasteners. Interference fittings may refer to a type of connection wherea material relies on pressure and/or gravity coupled with the material'sphysical strength to support a connection to a different element.

FIG. 13 is a right side cross-sectional view of the doorbell 130 withoutthe mounting bracket 137. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 132 issubstantially coplanar with the front surface 131F of the enclosure 131.In alternative embodiments, the lens 132 may be recessed within theenclosure 131 or may protrude outward from the enclosure 131. The camera134 is coupled to a camera printed circuit board (PCB) 147, and a lens134 a of the camera 134 protrudes through an opening in the enclosure131. The camera lens 134 a may be a lens capable of focusing light intothe camera 134 so that clear images may be taken.

The camera PCB 147 may be secured within the doorbell with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.The camera PCB 147 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the camera 134 of the doorbell 130, as described below.Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED's 168, arecoupled to the camera PCB 147 and may be triggered to activate when alight sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, theinfrared LED's 168 may emit infrared light through the enclosure 131and/or the camera 134 out into the ambient environment. The camera 134,which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture thelight emitted by the infrared LED's 168 as it reflects off objectswithin the camera's 134 field of view, so that the doorbell 130 canclearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the doorbell 130 further comprisesa front PCB 146, which in the illustrated embodiment resides in a lowerportion of the doorbell 130 adjacent a battery 166. The front PCB 146may be secured within the doorbell 130 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The front PCB146 comprises various components that enable the functionality of theaudio and light components, as further described below. The battery 166may provide power to the doorbell 130 components while receiving powerfrom the spring contacts 140, thereby engaging in a trickle-chargemethod of power consumption and supply. Alternatively, the doorbell 130may draw power directly from the spring contacts 140 while relying onthe battery 166 only when the spring contacts 140 are not providing thepower necessary for all functions.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the doorbell 130 further comprisesa power PCB 148, which in the illustrated embodiment resides behind thecamera PCB 147. The power PCB 148 may be secured within the doorbell 130with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interferenceconnections, adhesives, etc. The power PCB 148 comprises variouscomponents that enable the functionality of the power and device-controlcomponents, as further described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the doorbell 130 further comprisesa communication module 164 coupled to the power PCB 148. Thecommunication module 164 facilitates communication with client devicesin one or more remote locations, as further described below. Theconnector 160 may protrude outward from the power PCB 148 and extendthrough a hole in the back plate 139. The doorbell 130 further comprisespassive infrared (PIR) sensors 144, which are secured on or within a PIRsensor holder 143, and the assembly resides behind the lens 132. The PIRsensor holder 143 may be secured to the doorbell 130 with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.The PIR sensors 144 may be any type of sensor capable of detecting andcommunicating the presence of a heat source within their field of view.Further, alternative embodiments may comprise one or more motion sensorseither in place of or in addition to the PIR sensors 144. The motionsensors may be configured to detect motion using any methodology, suchas a methodology that does not rely on detecting the presence of a heatsource within a field of view.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the doorbell 130 and the mounting bracket137 according to an aspect of the present embodiments. The mountingbracket 137 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface (notshown) of a structure, such as a home or an office. FIG. 14 shows thefront side 137F of the mounting bracket 137. The mounting bracket 137 isconfigured to be mounted to the mounting surface such that the back side137B thereof faces the mounting surface. In certain embodiments themounting bracket 137 may be mounted to surfaces of various composition,including, without limitation, wood, concrete, stucco, brick, vinylsiding, aluminum siding, etc., with any suitable fasteners, such asscrews, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The doorbell 130may be coupled to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitable fasteners,such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 14, the illustrated embodiment of themounting bracket 137 includes the terminal screws 138. The terminalscrews 138 are configured to receive electrical wires adjacent themounting surface of the structure upon which the mounting bracket 137 ismounted, so that the doorbell 130 may receive electrical power from thestructure's electrical system. The terminal screws 138 are electricallyconnected to electrical contacts 177 of the mounting bracket. If poweris supplied to the terminal screws 138, then the electrical contacts 177also receive power through the terminal screws 138. The electricalcontacts 177 may comprise any suitable conductive material, including,without limitation, copper, and may protrude slightly from the face ofthe mounting bracket 137 so that they may mate with the spring contacts140 located on the back plate 139.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 (which is a rear view of the mountingbracket 137), the mounting bracket 137 further comprises a bracket PCB149. With reference to FIG. 15, the bracket PCB 149 is situated outsidethe doorbell 130, and is therefore configured for various sensors thatmeasure ambient conditions, such as an accelerometer 150, a barometer151, a humidity sensor 152, and a temperature sensor 153. The functionsof these components are discussed in more detail below. The bracket PCB149 may be secured to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are top and bottom views, respectively, of thedoorbell 130. As described above, the enclosure 131 may extend from thefront face 131F of the doorbell 130 to the back, where it contacts andsnugly surrounds the back plate 139. The camera 134 may protrudeslightly beyond the front face 131F of the enclosure 131, thereby givingthe camera 134 a wider field of view. The mounting bracket 137 mayinclude a substantially flat rear surface 137R, such that the doorbell130 and the mounting bracket 137 assembly may sit flush against thesurface to which they are mounted. With reference to FIG. 10B, the lowerend of the enclosure 131 may include security screw apertures 141configured to receive screws or other fasteners.

FIG. 11A is a top view of the PIR sensor holder 143. The PIR sensorholder 143 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, metals, metal alloys, or plastics. The PIR sensor holder 143is configured to mount the PIR sensors 144 behind the lens 132 such thatthe PIR sensors 144 face out through the lens 132 at varying angles,thereby creating a wide field of view for the PIR sensors 144, anddividing the field of view into zones, as further described below. Withfurther reference to FIG. 11A, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes one ormore faces 178 within or on which the PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes threefaces 178, with each of two outer faces 178 angled at 55° with respectto a center one of the faces 178. In alternative embodiments, the angleformed by adjacent ones of the faces 178 may be increased or decreasedas desired to alter the field of view of the PIR sensors 144.

FIG. 11B is a front view of the PIR sensor holder 143. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the faces 178 includes a through hole180 in which the PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. First and secondbrackets 182, spaced from one another, extend transversely across thePIR sensor holder 143. Each of the brackets 182 includes notches 184 ateither end. The brackets 182 may be used to secure the PIR sensor holder143 within the doorbell 130. In alternative embodiments, the throughholes 180 in the faces 178 may be omitted. For example, the PIR sensors144 may be mounted directly to the faces 178 without the through holes180. Generally, the faces 178 may be comprise any structure configuredto locate and secure the PIR sensors 144 in place.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and front views, respectively, of a PIR sensorassembly 179, including the PIR sensor holder 143, the lens 132, and aflexible power circuit 145. The PIR sensor holder 143 may be secured toa rear face 132R of the lens 132, as shown, with the brackets 182abutting the rear face 132R of the lens 132. The flexible power circuit145, which may be any material or component capable of delivering powerand/or data to and from the PIR sensors 144, is secured to a rear face143R of the PIR sensor holder 143, and may be contoured to match theangular shape of the PIR sensor holder 143. The flexible power circuit145 may connect to, draw power from, and/or transmit data to and/orfrom, the power PCB 148 (FIG. 13).

FIG. 19 is a top view of the PIR sensor assembly 179 illustrating thefields of view of the PIR sensors 144. Each PIR sensor 144 includes afield of view, referred to as a “zone,” that traces an angle extendingoutward from the respective PIR sensor 144. Zone 1 is the area that isvisible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-1. Zone 2 is the area thatis visible only to the PIR sensors 144-1 and 144-2. Zone 3 is the areathat is visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-2. Zone 4 is thearea that is visible only to the PIR sensors 144-2 and 144-3. Zone 5 isthe area that is visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-3. Thedoorbell 130 may be capable of determining the direction that an objectis moving based upon which zones are triggered in a time sequence. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each zone extends across an angle of 110°.In alternative embodiments, each zone may extend across a differentangle, such as one greater than or less than 110°.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of the components within or incommunication with the doorbell 130, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 maycomprise an accelerometer 150, a barometer 151, a humidity sensor 152,and a temperature sensor 153. The accelerometer 150 may be one or moresensors capable of sensing motion and/or acceleration. The barometer 151may be one or more sensors capable of determining the atmosphericpressure of the surrounding environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. The humidity sensor 152 may be one or more sensors capableof determining the amount of moisture present in the atmosphericenvironment in which the bracket PCB 149 may be located. The temperaturesensor 153 may be one or more sensors capable of determining thetemperature of the ambient environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 may be locatedoutside the housing of the doorbell 130 so as to reduce interferencefrom heat, pressure, moisture, and/or other stimuli generated by theinternal components of the doorbell 130.

With further reference to FIG. 20, the bracket PCB 149 may furthercomprise terminal screw inserts 154, which may be configured to receivethe terminal screws 138 and transmit power to the electrical contacts177 on the mounting bracket 137 (FIG. 14). The bracket PCB 149 may beelectrically and/or mechanically coupled to the power PCB 148 throughthe terminal screws 138, the terminal screw inserts 154, the springcontacts 140, and the electrical contacts 177. The terminal screws 138may receive electrical wires located at the surface to which thedoorbell 130 is mounted, such as the wall of a building, so that thedoorbell can receive electrical power from the building's electricalsystem. Upon the terminal screws 138 being secured within the terminalscrew inserts 154, power may be transferred to the bracket PCB 149, andto all of the components associated therewith, including the electricalcontacts 177. The electrical contacts 177 may transfer electrical powerto the power PCB 148 by mating with the spring contacts 140.

With further reference to FIG. 20, the front PCB 146 may comprise alight sensor 155, one or more light-emitting components, such as LED's156, one or more speakers 157, and a microphone 158. The light sensor155 may be one or more sensors capable of detecting the level of ambientlight of the surrounding environment in which the doorbell 130 may belocated. LED's 156 may be one or more light-emitting diodes capable ofproducing visible light when supplied with power. The speakers 157 maybe any electromechanical device capable of producing sound in responseto an electrical signal input. The microphone 158 may be anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting soundwaves into an electrical signal. When activated, the LED's 156 mayilluminate the light pipe 136 (FIG. 10). The front PCB 146 and allcomponents thereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB 148,thereby allowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from thepower PCB 148 and the front PCB 146.

The speakers 157 and the microphone 158 may be coupled to the cameraprocessor 170 through an audio CODEC 161. For example, the transfer ofdigital audio from the user's client device 114 and the speakers 157 andthe microphone 158 may be compressed and decompressed using the audioCODEC 161, coupled to the camera processor 170. Once compressed by audioCODEC 161, digital audio data may be sent through the communicationmodule 164 to the network 112, routed by one or more servers 118, anddelivered to the user's client device 114. When the user speaks, afterbeing transferred through the network 112, digital audio data isdecompressed by audio CODEC 161 and emitted to the visitor via thespeakers 157.

With further reference to FIG. 20, the power PCB 148 may comprise apower management module 162, a microcontroller 163, the communicationmodule 164, and power PCB non-volatile memory 165. In certainembodiments, the power management module 162 may comprise an integratedcircuit capable of arbitrating between multiple voltage rails, therebyselecting the source of power for the doorbell 130. The battery 166, thespring contacts 140, and/or the connector 160 may each provide power tothe power management module 162. The power management module 162 mayhave separate power rails dedicated to the battery 166, the springcontacts 140, and the connector 160. In one aspect of the presentdisclosure, the power management module 162 may continuously draw powerfrom the battery 166 to power the doorbell 130, while at the same timerouting power from the spring contacts 140 and/or the connector 160 tothe battery 166, thereby allowing the battery 166 to maintain asubstantially constant level of charge. Alternatively, the powermanagement module 162 may continuously draw power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 to power the doorbell 130, whileonly drawing from the battery 166 when the power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 is low or insufficient. The powermanagement module 162 may also serve as a conduit for data between theconnector 160 and the microcontroller 163.

With further reference to FIG. 20, in certain embodiments themicrocontroller 163 may comprise an integrated circuit including aprocessor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Themicrocontroller 163 may receive input signals, such as data and/orpower, from the PIR sensors 144, the bracket PCB 149, the powermanagement module 162, the light sensor 155, the microphone 158, and/orthe communication module 164, and may perform various functions asfurther described below. When the microcontroller 163 is triggered bythe PIR sensors 144, the microcontroller 163 may be triggered to performone or more functions, such as those described below with reference toFIG. 22. When the light sensor 155 detects a low level of ambient light,the light sensor 155 may trigger the microcontroller 163 to enable“night vision,” as further described below. The microcontroller 163 mayalso act as a conduit for data communicated between various componentsand the communication module 164.

With further reference to FIG. 20, the communication module 164 maycomprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. The communication module 164 mayalso be configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote networkdevice, and may include one or more transceivers (not shown). Thewireless communication may comprise one or more wireless networks, suchas, without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and/or satellitenetworks. The communication module 164 may receive inputs, such as powerand/or data, from the camera PCB 147, the microcontroller 163, thebutton 133, the reset button 159, and/or the power PCB non-volatilememory 165. When the button 133 is pressed, the communication module 164may be triggered to perform one or more functions, such as thosedescribed below with reference to FIG. 21. When the reset button 159 ispressed, the communication module 164 may be triggered to erase any datastored at the power PCB non-volatile memory 165 and/or at the camera PCBmemory 169. The communication module 164 may also act as a conduit fordata communicated between various components and the microcontroller163. The power PCB non-volatile memory 165 may comprise flash memoryconfigured to store and/or transmit data. For example, in certainembodiments the power PCB non-volatile memory 165 may comprise serialperipheral interface (SPI) flash memory.

With further reference to FIG. 20, the camera PCB 147 may comprisecomponents that facilitate the operation of the camera 134. For example,an imager 171 may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camerachip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager 171 maycomprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and maybe capable of recording high definition (720p or better) video files. Acamera processor 170 may comprise an encoding and compression chip. Insome embodiments, the camera processor 170 may comprise a bridgeprocessor. The camera processor 170 may process video recorded by theimager 171 and audio recorded by the microphone 158, and may transformthis data into a form suitable for wireless transfer by thecommunication module 164 to a network. The camera PCB memory 169 maycomprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered orencoded by the camera processor 170. For example, in certain embodimentsthe camera PCB memory 169 may comprise synchronous dynamic random accessmemory (SD RAM). IR LED's 168 may comprise light-emitting diodes capableof radiating infrared light. IR cut filter 167 may comprise a systemthat, when triggered, configures the imager 171 to see primarilyinfrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor 155detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level thatimpedes the performance of the imager 171 in the visible spectrum), theIR LED's 168 may shine infrared light through the doorbell 130 enclosureout to the environment, and the IR cut filter 167 may enable the imager171 to see this infrared light as it is reflected or refracted off ofobjects within the field of view of the doorbell. This process mayprovide the doorbell 130 with the “night vision” function mentionedabove.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B200, avisitor presses the button 133 on the doorbell 130. At block B202, thecommunication module 164 sends a request to a network device. Once thenetwork device receives the request, at block B204 the network devicemay connect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's wireless network 110 and the network 112. In block B206, thedoorbell 130 may record available audio and/or video data using thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or any other sensor available. Atblock B208, the audio and/or video data is transmitted to the user'sclient device 114. At block B210, the user may receive a notification onhis or her client device 114 prompting him or her to either accept ordeny. If the user denies the notification, then the process advances toblock B214, where the audio and/or video data is recorded and stored ata cloud server. The session then ends at block B216 and the connectionbetween the doorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminated.If, however, the user elects to accept the notification, then at blockB212 the user communicates with the visitor through the user's clientdevice 114 while being provided audio and/or video data captured by thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or other sensors. At the end of thecall, the user may terminate the connection between the user's clientdevice 114 and the doorbell 130 and the session ends at block B216. Insome embodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded and storedat a cloud server (block B214) even if the user accepts the notificationand communicates with the visitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B300, anobject may move into the field of view of one or more of the PIR sensors144. At block B302, the PIR sensors 144 may trigger the microcontroller163, which may then trigger the communication module 164 to send arequest to a network device. At block B304, the network device mayconnect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's wireless network 110 and the network 112. At block B306, thedoorbell 130 may record available audio and/or video data using thecamera 134, the microphone 158, and/or any other available sensor, andstream the data to the user's client device 114. At block B308, the usermay receive a notification prompting the user to either accept or denythe notification. If the notification is accepted, then at block B310 athe live audio/video data may be displayed on the user's client device114, thereby allowing the user surveillance from the perspective of thedoorbell 130. When the user is satisfied with this function, the usermay sever the connection at block B312, whereby the session ends. If,however, at block B308 the user denies the notification, or ignores thenotification and a specified time interval elapses, then the connectionbetween the doorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminatedand the audio/video data is recorded and stored at a cloud server atblock B310 b, such that the user may view the audio/video data later attheir convenience. The doorbell 130 may be configured to record for aspecified period of time in the event the notification in block B308 isdenied or ignored. If such a time period is set, the doorbell 130 mayrecord data for that period of time before ceasing operation at blockB312 thereby ending the session. In some embodiments, the audio and/orvideo data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server (block B310 b)even if the user accepts the notification and communicates with thevisitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B400, theuser may select a “snooze time-out,” which is a time period during whichthe doorbell 130 may deactivate or otherwise not respond to stimuli(such as light, sound, or heat signatures) after an operation isperformed, e.g. a notification is either accepted or denied/ignored. Forexample, the user may set a snooze time-out of 15 minutes. At blockB402, an object moves into the field of view of one or more of the PIRsensors 144. At block B404, the microcontroller 163 may trigger thecommunication module 164 to send a request to a network device. In blockB406, the network device may connect the doorbell 130 to the user'sclient device 114 through the user's wireless network 110 and thenetwork 112. At block B408, audio/video data captured by the doorbell130 may be streamed to the user's client device 114. At block B410, theuser may receive a notification prompting the user to either accept ordeny/ignore the request. If the request is denied or ignored, then atblock B412 b audio/video data may be recorded and stored at a cloudserver. After the doorbell 130 finishes recording, the objects mayremain in the PIR sensor 144 field of view at block B414. In block B416,the microcontroller 163 waits for the “snooze time” to elapse, e.g. 15minutes, before triggering the communication module 164 to submitanother request to the network device. After the snooze time, e.g. 15minutes, elapses, the process moves back to block B404 and progresses asdescribed above. The cycle may continue like this until the user acceptsthe notification request at block B410. The process then moves to blockB412 a, where live audio and/or video data is displayed on the user'sclient device 114, thereby allowing the user surveillance from theperspective of the doorbell 130. At the user's request, the connectionmay be severed and the session ends at block B418. At this point theuser may elect for the process to revert back to block B416, wherebythere may be no further response until the snooze time, e.g. 15 minutes,has elapsed from the end of the previous session, or the user may electfor the process to return to block B402 and receive a notification thenext time an object is perceived by one or more of the PIR sensors 144.In some embodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded andstored at a cloud server (block B412 b) even if the user accepts thenotification and communicates with the visitor through the user's clientdevice 114.

As discussed above, the present disclosure provides numerous examples ofmethods and systems including A/V recording and communication doorbells,but the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording andcommunication devices other than doorbells. For example, the presentembodiments may include one or more A/V recording and communicationsecurity cameras instead of, or in addition to, one or more A/Vrecording and communication doorbells. An example A/V recording andcommunication security camera may include substantially all of thestructure and functionality of the doorbell 130, but without the frontbutton 133, the button actuator, and/or the light pipe 136. An exampleA/V recording and communication security camera may further omit othercomponents, such as, for example, the bracket PCB 149 and itscomponents.

The present embodiments include a wireless speaker device configured foruse with a wireless A/V recording and communication device, such as adoorbell. The wireless speaker device, which includes a speaker, mayplug into a standard wall outlet and connect to the user's local areanetwork (LAN), such as a Wi-Fi network. The LAN is connected to a widearea network (WAN), such as the Internet and/or a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN). When the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device detects a visitor, it sends a signal, via the LAN,to at least one device in the WAN, such as a server and/or a service. Inresponse, the at least one device in the WAN sends a signal, via theLAN, to the wireless speaker device. The signal to the wireless speakerdevice includes a command for the wireless speaker device to emit a tonethrough its speaker. The wireless speaker device then emits a tonethrough its speaker to alert the user that a visitor is at the wirelessA/V recording and communication device.

FIGS. 24-29 illustrate various aspects of the present embodiments of awireless speaker device for wireless A/V recording and communicationdevices. FIG. 24, for example, is a functional block diagramillustrating a wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell systemincluding a wireless speaker device for wireless A/V recording andcommunication devices according to the present embodiments. The systemincludes many of the same components as the system shown in FIG. 1,including the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100, theuser's wireless network 110, the network 112, the user's client device114, the remote storage device(s) 116, and the server(s) 118. Thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may be similar oridentical to the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 130described above with reference to FIGS. 10-23. As described above, thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may, in otherembodiments, comprise another type of wireless A/V recording andcommunication device, such as a security camera. The user's wirelessnetwork 110 may comprise a local area network (LAN), such as a Wi-Finetwork compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or other wirelesscommunication standard(s). The network 112 may comprise a wide areanetwork (WAN), such as the Internet and/or a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN).

The system of FIG. 24 further comprises a wireless speaker device 500.FIGS. 25 and 26 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, ofan example embodiment of the wireless speaker device 500, and FIG. 27 isa functional block diagram of an example embodiment of the wirelessspeaker device 500. With reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, the wirelessspeaker device 500 comprises a housing 502 having a front side 504 (FIG.25) and a rear side 506 (FIG. 26). In the illustrated embodiment, thehousing 502 is shaped substantially as a rectangular parallelepiped, butthis shape is just one example and is not limiting. The housing 502 isclosed on all sides and surrounds an interior space in which variouscomponents of the wireless speaker device 500 are located, as describedbelow with reference to FIG. 27. The housing 502 may be constructed ofany suitable material that is preferably durable and non-conductive(electrically), such as various types of plastics (e.g. polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 27, the wireless speaker device 500 comprises aprocessor 508 and a communication module 510. The processor 508 and thecommunication module 510 are illustrated as a single component in FIG.27, but in alternative embodiments the processor 508 and thecommunication module 510 may comprise separate components. Thecommunication module 510 includes an antenna 512 and may include one ormore transceivers (not shown) for sending and receiving wireless signalsover the user's wireless network 110. The communication module 510 mayalso be configured to transmit data wirelessly to and/or receive datawirelessly from one or more devices independently of the user's wirelessnetwork 110, such as via a direct connection to another wireless device.In one example, the wireless speaker device 500 may communicate with theuser's client device 114 via a Bluetooth (or other short-range wirelessprotocol) connection.

In alternative embodiments, the wireless speaker device 500 may beconfigured for a wired connection to the user's wireless network 110and/or the network 112. For example, the wireless speaker device 500 mayinclude one or more ports (not shown) for receiving a connector of acable, such as an Ethernet cable. In such embodiments, the wirelessspeaker device 500 may connect to the router of the user's wirelessnetwork 110, or to any other network device, via the cable. Inembodiments configured for receiving an Ethernet cable, the wirelessspeaker device 500 may be powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE), inwhich electrical power may be passed, along with data, via the connectedEthernet cable. In such embodiments, the AC pins 518 may be omitted.Alternatively, the wireless speaker device 500 may be powered via boththe AC pins 518 and a PoE connection.

The processor 508 may perform data processing and various otherfunctions, as described below. The processor 508 may comprise anintegrated circuit including a processor core (not shown), volatilememory 514, non-volatile memory 516, and/or programmable input/outputperipherals (not shown). The volatile memory 514 may comprise, forexample, DDR3 (double data rate type three synchronous dynamicrandom-access memory). The non-volatile memory 516 may comprise, forexample, NAND flash memory. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 27,the volatile memory 514 and the non-volatile memory 516 are illustratedwithin the box representing the processor 508. It is to be understood,however, that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 27 is merely anexample, and in some embodiments the volatile memory 514 and/or thenon-volatile memory 516 are not necessarily physically incorporated withthe processor 508. The volatile memory 514 and/or the non-volatilememory 516, regardless of their physical location, may be shared by oneor more other components (in addition to the processor 508) of thepresent wireless speaker device 500.

With continued reference to FIG. 27, the wireless speaker device 500further comprises a pair of AC (alternating current) pins 518, enablingthe wireless speaker device 500 to be plugged into a standard walloutlet. With reference to FIG. 26, the AC pins 518 extend outward fromthe rear side 506 of the housing 502. With reference to FIG. 27, thewireless speaker device 500 further comprises an AC/DC rectifier 520,which converts AC mains power to DC (direct current), which is thendelivered to the processor 508 for powering the wireless speaker device500. Some embodiments may also include a DC-to-DC converter (not shown)between the rectifier 520 and the processor 508. The DC-to-DC convertermay receive as an input a first voltage from the rectifier 520 andproduce as an output a second voltage that is received as an input bythe processor 508.

With continued reference to FIG. 27, the wireless speaker device 500further comprises a speaker 522 operatively connected to the processor508 through a digital-to-analog audio converter 524. With reference toFIG. 25, the front side 504 of the housing 502 includes at least oneopening 526 that facilitates the passage of sound from the speaker 522located within the housing 502 to the surrounding environment. Withreference to FIG. 27, the wireless speaker device 500 further comprisesa reset button 528 and reset logic 530, which enable the user to resetthe processor 508 and/or the communication module 510 in the event of amalfunction. With reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, a side 532 of thehousing 502 includes a small opening 534 that provides access to thereset button 528. By inserting a slender object, such as a paper clip,through the small opening 534, the user can depress the reset button 528to initiate the reset process.

With reference to FIG. 27, the wireless speaker device 500 furthercomprises LEDs 536 (or another type of illumination device) operativelyconnected to the processor 508. With reference to FIG. 25, the LEDs 536may be located on the front side 504 of the housing 502. The LEDs 536provide a visual indicator to the user of the current operative state ofwireless speaker device 500. For example, when the wireless speakerdevice 500 is plugged in to a wall outlet, the LEDs 536 may beilluminated, and when the wireless speaker device 500 sounds to alertthe user to a visitor at the front door, the LEDs 536 may blink on andoff according to a set pattern. Blinking or flashing of the LEDs 536 maybe particularly advantageous for users who are hard of hearing, forexample, and who may not hear sounds from the wireless speaker device500 when a visitor is at the front door.

With reference to FIG. 24, the wireless A/V recording and communicationdoorbell system may further comprise a backend API 538 including an API540 and a wireless speaker service 542. While FIG. 24 illustrates thebackend API 538, the API 540, and the wireless speaker service 542 ascomponents separate from the network 112, it is to be understood thatthe backend API 538, the API 540, and/or the wireless speaker service542 may be considered to be components of the network 112. Thesecomponents are described with reference to FIG. 28, which is afunctional block diagram illustrating a system 544 for communicatingamong a wireless A/V recording and communication device, such as thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100/130, a local areanetwork, such as the user's wireless network 110, a wide area network,such as the network 112, and a wireless speaker device, such as thewireless speaker device 500, according to the present embodiments.

The system of FIG. 28 may comprise a backend API, such as the backendAPI 538, including one or more components. A backend API (applicationprogramming interface) may comprise, for example, a server (e.g. a realserver, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in a cloudinfrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networked together,exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. These servers mayinclude components such as application servers (e.g. software servers),depending upon what other components are included, such as a cachinglayer, or database layers, or other components. A backend API may, forexample, comprise many such applications, each of which communicate withone another using their public APIs. In some embodiments, the APIbackend may hold the bulk of the user data and offer the user managementcapabilities, leaving the clients to have very limited state.

The backend API 538 illustrated FIG. 28 may include one or more APIs,such as the API 540. An API is a set of routines, protocols, and toolsfor building software and applications. An API expresses a softwarecomponent in terms of its operations, inputs, outputs, and underlyingtypes, defining functionalities that are independent of their respectiveimplementations, which allows definitions and implementations to varywithout compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide aprogrammer with access to an application's functionality without theprogrammer needing to modify the application itself, or even understandhow the application works. An API may be for a web-based system, anoperating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities todevelop applications for that system using a given programming language.In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard diskdrives or video cards, an API can ease the work of programming graphicaluser interface (GUI) components. For example, an API can facilitateintegration of new features into existing applications (a so-called“plug-in API”). An API can also assist otherwise distinct applicationswith sharing data, which can help to integrate and enhance thefunctionalities of the applications.

The backend API 538 illustrated in FIG. 28 may further include one ormore services (also referred to as network services), such as thewireless speaker service 542. A network service is an application thatprovides data storage, manipulation, presentation, communication, and/orother capability. Network services are often implemented using aclient-server architecture based on application-layer network protocols.Each service may be provided by a server component running on one ormore computers (such as a dedicated server computer offering multipleservices) and accessed via a network by client components running onother devices. However, the client and server components can both be runon the same machine. Clients and servers may have a user interface, andsometimes other hardware associated with them.

The backend API 538 illustrated in FIG. 28 includes a wireless speakerservice, such as the wireless speaker service 542. The wireless speakerservice 542 may comprise one or more wireless speaker data structures546 storing information about a plurality of wireless speaker devices,such as the wireless speaker device 500. For example, the informationmay include information about each wireless speaker device and at leastone associated wireless A/V recording and communication device, such asthe wireless A/V recording and communication device 100. The wirelessspeaker service 542 may access the information in the wireless speakerdata structure(s) 546 when needed to determine which wireless speakerdevice(s) is/are associated with a wireless A/V recording andcommunication device that sends a visitor detection signal 550 to thebackend API 538, as further described below. The wireless speakerservice 542 may also maintain the information in the wireless speakerdata structure(s) 546 and update the information in the wireless speakerdata structure(s) 546 when new wireless speaker devices are activated,when existing wireless speaker devices are deactivated, and/or whenassociations between existing wireless speaker devices and wireless A/Vrecording and communication devices are changed. In some embodiments,the wireless speaker service 542 may have a persistent connection withthe wireless speaker device 500. A persistent connection advantageouslyreduces latency between the wireless speaker service 542 and thewireless speaker device 500, as further described below.

To use the present wireless speaker device 500 in connection with awireless A/V recording and communication doorbell, the user plugs the ACpins 518 of the wireless speaker device 500 into a standard wall outlet,and then connects the wireless speaker device 500 to his or her wirelessnetwork 110 (FIG. 24). The user may then be guided through a setupprocess in which the wireless speaker device 500 is associated with theuser's doorbell 100, and the association is stored in a data structureso that when a visitor presses the doorbell button 133 the system knowswhich wireless speaker device 500 to activate. For example, the setupprocess may include an application executing on the user's client device114. After the wireless speaker device 500 is successfully connected tothe wireless network 110, a prompt may be displayed on the user's clientdevice 114. The prompt may request the user to select a wireless A/Vrecording and communication device, such as a doorbell or a securitycamera, to associate to the wireless speaker device 500. When the usermakes a selection, the user's client device 114 may send a signal, viathe wireless network 110 and the network 112, to the backend API 538,and the wireless speaker service 542 may update the information in thewireless speaker data structure(s) 546 so that the wireless speakerdevice 500 is associated with the user-selected wireless A/V recordingand communication device. Later, when motion events and/or button-pressevents are initiated by the user-selected wireless A/V recording andcommunication device, the wireless speaker service 542 sends a signal tothe associated wireless speaker device 500 and the wireless speakerdevice 500 emits a tone, as further described below.

The user's wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 is alsoconnected to the wireless network 110. As described in detail below,when a visitor is detected at the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100, the doorbell 100 sends a signal to the API540 (the WAN), via the wireless network 110 (the LAN). The API 540 thensends a signal to the wireless speaker service 542, which sends a signalto the wireless speaker device 500, via the LAN. The wireless speakerdevice 500 then emits a tone to alert any person(s) within earshot ofthe wireless speaker device 500 that a visitor has been detected at thewireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100. As describedabove, in some embodiments, the wireless speaker service 542 may have apersistent connection with the wireless speaker device 500 A persistentconnection advantageously reduces latency between the wireless speakerservice 542 and the wireless speaker device 500, so that when thewireless speaker service 542 sends the tone signal 554 to the wirelessspeaker device 500 there is little if any delay between the tone signal554 being sent and the wireless speaker device 500 emitting a tone fromits speaker 522. For example, because of the persistent connection,there is no need for the wireless speaker device 500 to re-establishitself on the wireless speaker service 542 before the tone signal 554can be received by the wireless speaker device 500.

In the system of FIG. 28, and with reference to FIG. 29, the wirelessA/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may detect a visitor withinthe field of view of the doorbell 100. For example, the wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 may detect the visitor'spresence by detecting motion using the camera 102, 134 and/or the motionsensor(s) 144, and/or by detecting that the visitor has depressed thebutton 133 on the A/V recording and communication doorbell 100/130. Inresponse to detecting the visitor, the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 may send a visitor detection signal 550 (FIG.29) to the API 540, and the API 540 may receive the visitor detectionsignal 550 from the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell100. The visitor detection signal 550 may include information about thevisitor-detection event, such as whether the visitor was detected viasensed motion or via a button press. With reference to FIGS. 24 and 29,the wireless A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 sends thevisitor detection signal 550 to the API 540 via the user's wirelessnetwork 110, which may be a LAN, and the network 112, which may be aWAN.

With reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the API 540 may transmit to thewireless speaker service 542 a wireless speaker activation signal 552 inresponse to receiving the visitor detection signal 550 from the wirelessA/V recording and communication doorbell 100, and the wireless speakerservice 542 may receive the wireless speaker activation signal 552 fromthe API 540. In response to receiving the wireless speaker activationsignal 552 from the API 540, the wireless speaker service 542 may accessthe wireless speaker data structure(s) 546 and determine, based onidentifying information in the wireless speaker activation signal 552,at least one wireless speaker device 500, such as the wireless speakerdevice 500, with which the wireless A/V recording and communicationdoorbell 100 that sent the visitor detection signal 550 is associated.The wireless speaker service 542 may then send a tone signal 554 to theat least one wireless speaker device 500 that was determined from thewireless speaker data structure(s) 546, and the at least one wirelessspeaker device 500 may receive the tone signal 554 from the wirelessspeaker service 542. The tone signal 554 includes a command to the atleast one wireless speaker device 500 to emit a tone from the speaker522 of the at least one wireless speaker device 500. Thus, in responseto receiving the tone signal 554 from the wireless speaker service 542,the at least one wireless speaker device 500 may emit a tone from itsspeaker 522 to notify any person(s) within earshot of the speaker 522that a visitor has been detected at the wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100.

As described above, in some embodiments the wireless speaker service 542may have a persistent connection with the wireless speaker device 500. Apersistent connection advantageously reduces latency between thewireless speaker service 542 and the wireless speaker device 500, sothat when the wireless speaker service 542 sends the tone signal 554 tothe wireless speaker device 500 there is little if any delay between thetone signal 554 being sent and the wireless speaker device 500 emittinga tone from its speaker 522. For example, because of the persistentconnection, there is no need for the wireless speaker device 500 tore-establish itself on the wireless speaker service 542 before the tonesignal 554 can be received by the wireless speaker device 500.

As described above, the present embodiments advantageously provide awireless speaker device configured for use with a wireless A/V recordingand communication device, such as a doorbell. The wireless speakerdevice, which includes a speaker, may plug into a standard wall outletand connect to the user's local area network (LAN), such as a Wi-Finetwork. The LAN is connected to a wide area network (WAN), such as theInternet and/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). When thewireless A/V recording and communication device detects a visitor, itsends a signal, via the LAN, to at least one device in the WAN, such asa server and/or a service. In response, the at least one device in theWAN sends a signal, via the LAN, to the wireless speaker device. Thesignal to the wireless speaker device includes a command for thewireless speaker device to emit a tone through its speaker. The wirelessspeaker device then emits a tone through its speaker to alert the userthat a visitor is at the wireless A/V recording and communicationdevice.

In some embodiments, the wireless speaker activation signal 552 and/orthe tone signal 554 may include information about a type of tone to beemitted by the speaker 522 of the wireless speaker device 500. Forexample, the type of tone may depend on the type of visitor detectionthat initiated the process. If the visitor was detected via motion, afirst type of tone may be emitted by the speaker 522, and the wirelessspeaker activation signal 552 and/or the tone signal 554 may include acommand to the wireless speaker device 500 to emit the first type oftone. If the visitor was detected via a button press, a second type oftone may be emitted by the speaker 522, and the wireless speakeractivation signal 552 and/or the tone signal 554 may include a commandto the wireless speaker device 500 to emit the second type of tone.Tones of various types may be stored at the non-volatile memory 516 ofthe wireless speaker device 500. Any number of different tones may bestored at the wireless speaker device 500. The first and second typesdescribed above are merely non-limiting examples.

In some embodiments, the tone emitted by the speaker 522 of the wirelessspeaker device 500 may be configurable by the user. For example, anapplication executing on the user's client device 114 may display a menufrom which the user may select from a plurality of different tones. Thetones may be stored on the wireless speaker device 500 at the point ofmanufacture. Alternatively, or in addition, tones may be downloaded toand stored on the wireless speaker device 500, such as at thenon-volatile memory 516. For example, the user may access tones storedat one or more servers in the network 112, such as at the backend API538, using the client device 114. The user may select one or more tonesfrom the network 112 and download them to the wireless speaker device500 via the wireless network 110 and the processor/communication module508/510. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may transfer tones fromthe client device 114 to the wireless speaker device 500 via thewireless network 110 and the processor/communication module 508/510.

In some embodiments, the tone emitted by the speaker 522 of the wirelessspeaker device 500 may vary depending on which one of a plurality ofdifferent wireless A/V recording and communication devices generated thevisitor detection signal 550. For example, the wireless speaker device500 may be associated with more than one wireless A/V recording andcommunication device. Then, the wireless speaker device 500 may emit afirst type of tone when the visitor detection signal 550 is generated bya first wireless A/V recording and communication device associated withthe wireless speaker device 500, and the wireless speaker device 500 mayemit a second type of tone when the visitor detection signal 550 isgenerated by a second wireless A/V recording and communication deviceassociated with the wireless speaker device 500. The wireless speakerdevice 500 may be associated with any number of wireless A/V recordingand communication devices. The first and second associated wireless A/Vrecording and communication devices described above are merelynon-limiting examples.

In alternative embodiments, the wireless speaker device 500 may includea motion sensor (not shown). When the motion sensor of the wirelessspeaker device 500 detects motion, the wireless speaker device 500 maysend a signal to the backend API 538. The signal may be similar to thevisitor detection signal 550 described above. In response to receivingthe signal from the wireless speaker device 500, the backend API 538 maysend a signal to one or more connected devices to alert a user thatmotion was detected by the wireless speaker device 500. For example, thebackend API 538 may send a signal to the user's client device 114.

In alternative embodiments, the wireless speaker device 500 may includea microphone (not shown). In such embodiments, the user may communicatewith the visitor through the wireless speaker device 500 and thewireless A/V recording and communication device, using the microphoneand the speaker 522 of the wireless speaker device 500.

In some embodiments, the wireless speaker device 500 may be capable ofplaying streaming audio from another wireless device. For example, thewireless speaker device 500 may receive a wireless audio signal from theuser's client device 114 via a Bluetooth connection, and the wirelessspeaker device 500 may play the audio via the speaker 522.

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a client device 800 configuredfor use with a wireless A/V recording and communication doorbellaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure. The user'sclient device 114 described with reference to FIG. 9 may include some orall of the components and/or functionality of the client device 800. Theclient device 800 may comprise, for example, a smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 30, the client device 800 includes a processor802, a memory 804, a user interface 806, a communication module 808, anda dataport 810. These components are communicatively coupled together byan interconnect bus 812. The processor 802 may include any processorused in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARMprocessor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction setcomputer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM).). Insome embodiments, the processor 802 may include one or more otherprocessors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors, and/or oneor more supplementary co-processors, such as math co-processors.

The memory 804 may include both operating memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM),hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element.The memory 804 may include removable memory elements, such as aCompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure Digital (SD)card. In some embodiments, the memory 804 may comprise a combination ofmagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or a hard disk or drive. Theprocessor 802 and the memory 804 each may be, for example, locatedentirely within a single device, or may be connected to each other by acommunication medium, such as a USB port, a serial port cable, a coaxialcable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephone line, a radio frequencytransceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination ofthe foregoing. For example, the processor 802 may be connected to thememory 804 via the dataport 810.

The user interface 806 may include any user interface or presentationelements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device,such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and aspeaker. The communication module 808 is configured to handlecommunication links between the client device 800 and other, externaldevices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately.For example, inbound data from the dataport 810 may be routed throughthe communication module 808 before being directed to the processor 802,and outbound data from the processor 802 may be routed through thecommunication module 808 before being directed to the dataport 810. Thecommunication module 808 may include one or more transceiver modulescapable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, oneor more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95(CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology.

The dataport 810 may be any type of connector used for physicallyinterfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, suchas a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING®connector. In other embodiments, the dataport 810 may include multiplecommunication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example,other processors, servers, and/or client terminals.

The memory 804 may store instructions for communicating with othersystems, such as a computer. The memory 804 may store, for example, aprogram (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor802 in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions alsomay include program elements, such as an operating system. Whileexecution of sequences of instructions in the program causes theprocessor 802 to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes ofthe present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limitedto any specific combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem configured for use with a wireless A/V recording andcommunication doorbell according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The computer system 900 may be embodied in at least one of apersonal computer (also referred to as a desktop computer) 900A, aportable computer (also referred to as a laptop or notebook computer)900B, and/or a server 900C. A server is a computer program and/or amachine that waits for requests from other machines or software(clients) and responds to them. A server typically processes data. Thepurpose of a server is to share data and/or hardware and/or softwareresources among clients. This architecture is called the client-servermodel. The clients may run on the same computer or may connect to theserver over a network. Examples of computing servers include databaseservers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, gameservers, and application servers. The term server may be construedbroadly to include any computerized process that shares a resource toone or more client processes.

The computer system 900 may execute at least some of the operationsdescribed above. The computer system 900 may include at least oneprocessor 910, memory 920, at least one storage device 930, andinput/output (I/O) devices 940. Some or all of the components 910, 920,930, 940 may be interconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910may be single- or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. Theprocessor 910 may execute instructions, such as those stored in thememory 920 and/or in the storage device 930. Information may be receivedand output using one or more I/O devices 940.

The memory 920 may store information, and may be a computer-readablemedium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)930 may provide storage for the system 900, and may be acomputer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s) 930may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical diskdevice, a tape device, or any other type of storage device.

The I/O devices 940 may provide input/output operations for the system900. The I/O devices 940 may include a keyboard, a pointing device,and/or a microphone. The I/O devices 940 may further include a displayunit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or aprinter. External data may be stored in one or more accessible externaldatabases 960.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the presentembodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device,such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, apointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen bywhich the user may provide input to the computer.

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communicating among a wirelessaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, a wireless speakerdevice including a speaker, a local area network (LAN) including one ormore LAN devices, and a wide area network (WAN) including at least onebackend server, the method comprising: the backend server receiving fromthe wireless A/V recording and communication device, via the one or moreLAN devices, a visitor detection signal, the visitor detection signalindicating that a visitor has been detected at the wireless A/Vrecording and communication device; and the backend server transmittingto the wireless speaker device, via the one or more LAN devices, inresponse to receiving the visitor detection signal, a tone signal, thetone signal including a command to the wireless speaker device to emit atone from the speaker of the wireless speaker device, wherein thewireless speaker device and the backend server have a persistentconnection to reduce communication latency between the wireless speakerdevice and the backend server.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thewireless A/V recording and communication device comprises a wireless A/Vrecording and communication doorbell including a button.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the visitor detection signal comprises a buttonpress signal indicating that the doorbell button has been pressed. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device further comprises a motion detector.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the visitor detection signal is received in responseto the motion detector detecting motion at the wireless A/V recordingand communication device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingthe backend server receiving from the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device a first alert signal and a first video signal, thefirst video signal including images captured by a camera of the wirelessA/V recording and communication device.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising the backend server transmitting to a client device,in response to receiving the first alert signal and the first videosignal, a second alert signal and a second video signal, the secondvideo signal including the images captured by the camera of the wirelessA/V recording and communication device.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the client device is a smartphone.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the backend server is a first backend server, and wherein thefirst backend server transmits to the client device the second alertsignal and the second video signal through a second backend server. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more LAN devices comprises atleast one router.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the persistentconnection reduces the communication latency by eliminating a need forthe wireless speaker device to be re-established on the backend servereach time the wireless speaker device receives the tone signal from thebackend server.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless speakerdevice is a first speaker device from among a plurality of speakerdevices, and wherein the backend server uses an application programminginterface (API) service to determine that the first speaker device isthe speaker device from among the plurality of speaker devices toreceive the tone signal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thewireless A/V recording and communication device is a first A/V recordingand communication device from among a plurality of A/V recording andcommunication devices, and wherein the API service determines anassociation between each speaker device from among the plurality ofspeaker devices with a corresponding A/V recording and communicationdevice from among the plurality of A/V recording and communicationdevices.
 14. A wireless speaker device configured for use with awireless audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, a localarea network (LAN) including one or more LAN devices, and a wide areanetwork (WAN) including at least one backend server, the wirelessspeaker device comprising: a wireless communication module; and aspeaker; wherein the wireless speaker device is configured to receivefrom the backend server, via the one or more LAN devices and via thewireless communication module of the wireless speaker device, a tonesignal, the tone signal including a command to the wireless speakerdevice to emit a tone from the speaker of the wireless speaker device;wherein the wireless speaker device and the backend server have apersistent connection to reduce communication latency between thewireless speaker device and the backend server; and wherein the wirelessspeaker device is configured to emit the tone from the speaker of thewireless speaker device in response to receiving the tone signalincluding the command.
 15. The wireless speaker device of claim 14,wherein the wireless speaker device is further configured to receivefrom the backend server, via the one or more LAN devices and via thewireless communication module of the wireless speaker device, the tonesignal in response to the backend server receiving from the wireless A/Vrecording and communication device, via the one or more LAN devices, avisitor detection signal, the visitor detection signal indicating that avisitor has been detected at the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device.
 16. The wireless speaker device of claim 15,wherein the wireless A/V recording and communication device comprises awireless A/V recording and communication doorbell including a button,and wherein the visitor detection signal comprises a button press signalindicating that the doorbell button has been pressed.
 17. The wirelessspeaker device of claim 15, wherein the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device further comprises a motion detector, and whereinthe visitor detection signal is received in response to the motiondetector detecting motion at the wireless A/V recording andcommunication device.
 18. The wireless speaker device of claim 14,wherein the one or more LAN devices comprises at least one router. 19.The wireless speaker device of claim 14, wherein the persistentconnection reduces the communication latency by eliminating a need forthe wireless speaker device to be re-established on the backend servereach time the wireless speaker device receives the tone signal from thebackend server.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless speakeris a first speaker device from among a plurality of speaker devices, andwherein the backend server uses an application programming interface(API) service to determine that the first speaker device is the speakerdevice from among the plurality of speaker devices to receive the tonesignal from the backend server.